Agunloye Mambilla fraud trial: Witness affirms authenticity of FEC document tendered by EFCC

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The trial of former Minister of Power, Chief Olu Agunloye, over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract resumed on Thursday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, with a prosecution witness affirming the authenticity of a key document tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The sixth prosecution witness, Iliya John Iyakwari, told the court during cross-examination that there was no other extract of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of May 21, 2003 different from the one marked Exhibit EFCC 3K, which he certified and which had already been admitted in evidence.

Agunloye is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged official corruption and the award of the Mambilla Power Project contract valued at $6 billion to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

During the proceedings, defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, sought to cross-examine the witness using a document marked Exhibit EFCC 3D.

However, the prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, objected to the move, arguing that the witness could not be questioned on a document he neither authored nor tendered before the court.

“My Lord, our objection is anchored on the Supreme Court authority in Buhari v. INEC and others. I object to this application because this witness is not the maker, neither was it tendered through him,” Mohammed argued.

He also cited additional judicial authorities in support of the prosecution’s objection.

The witness, a former Assistant Director (Legal) in the Federal Ministry of Justice who currently serves as an Assistant Legal Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Power, subsequently concluded his testimony under cross-examination.

Following the proceedings, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

The EFCC alleges that Agunloye unlawfully awarded the multi-billion-dollar Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, allegations the former minister has denied.